March 1995

In a series of four articles for the Washington Times, former
White House Director of Drug Policy William Bennett and former Deputy Director
of Drug Policy John Walters assail the Clinton Administration for not continuing
the war against drugs (William J. Bennett and John P. Walters,
"Suddenly Losing the War Against Drugs," Washington Times,
Feb. 7, 1995, p. A19; "A Record Failure in Drug Treatment,"
Feb. 8, 1995, p. A19; "Why Aren't We Attacking the Supply
of Drugs?" Feb. 9, 1995, p. A19; "Renewing the War on
Drugs," Feb. 10, 1995, p. A23).

Bennett and Walters write that Clinton has failed to maintain the war
on drugs, resulting in the loss of ground gained against drug use in the
Reagan and Bush years. Clinton is doing nothing to combat drug abuse, they
write, except to advocate increased drug treatment, a tactic that failed
because resources were not allocated properly and treatment as an avenue
to stop drugs is bound to fail.

The authors address a host of issues, from the "myths" that
drug use is caused by lack of self-esteem and that treatment can prevent
future drug use, the lack of leadership from the Clinton administration
and the resulting increase in drug use, especially among teenagers, and
the argument that the war on drugs is a serious drain on the nation's economy.

In the last article they advocate eight ways that the Clinton Administration
can step up the war on drugs:

Increase Presidential leadership.

Renew relationships with Colombian leaders to deescalate the influence
of cartels.